System of electronic devices that is designed to assist a football referee

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system of devices that can be integrated into elements that are designed to assist the referee in football, such as the referee&#39;s whistle, the linesmen&#39;s flags, the playing area and the ball. The inventive system can also be used for American football and for any other ball sports. The invention makes use of a series of sensor elements, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) or indicator bulbs, vibration indicators, a control console, a laser light and radiofrequency signal transmitter/receiver mechanisms together with the respective microchips thereof, all of which are known in electronics. The aforementioned elements are adapted and used as auxiliary refereeing supports in the standard elements, i.e. the whistle, flags and rectangular playing area, and, in this way, can be used to provide instant correct solutions to playing situations that could give rise to dubious decisions and subsequent disputes.

OBJECTIVE

The invention presented refers to a system of incorporated arbitrationaid devices applicable to the game of soccer through the whistle orhorn, the assistant referee's flags, the ball, and the field. (Theinvention is also applicable to American Football as well as all othersports that are played with a ball).

The invention uses a series of sensory elements, LEDs (Light EmittingDiodes) or indicator lights, vibrating indicators, a control panel, andradio frequency signals of emitting-receiving mechanisms withmicrochips, that when adapted and utilized as an arbitration aid in thebasic elements of the whistle, flags, ball, and field of Play, provideinstant and certain solutions to plays that usually cause doubts injudgment and conflicts.

Antecedents

Arbitration control of soccer is subject to errors by the refereesbecause they lack aids that allow them to decide whit total accuracy.For example, if a player was “forward” a few centimeters to impose an“off side”, or if the ball passed the goal line by a few centimeters.For that reason (until now), in order to make a right or wrong decision,the referees depend on the position in which they happen to catch theplay (according to the point of view they have at that very moment),with the unfair consequences that in a few occasions have occurred fromhaving to repeat, for example an official game of the Europeanchampionship, because the referee declared a non-existent goal (then asit was shown on television, the ball never passed through the goalline), or causing violent reactions by the fans or players (withhorrible results such as injured people or even in the loss of life).

The solutions that have been tentatively considered, and are frequentlypresented to try to correct continuous and serious arbitration errors(still in the world-wide championships although the best referees of theworld meet there) range from the inclusion of two additional referees(one behind each goal line) by specifically being in charge ofsupervising the plays that occur close to the penalty areas, to thepossibility of using videos taken from different angles to review if theReferee was correct or not through the interpretation of each judge.However (with all reason), the International Board (the organizationthat governs the rules of soccer) has systematically refused to acceptany type of aid “a posteriori” (that forces the game to stop every timethere is a doubtful play, in order to check on one or several televisionscreens to see if the Referee was correct or not) which clearly wouldslow down the rhythm of the game; on the other hand, the first option isdifficult and unpractical, in addition to having to adapt changes in therules of the game, two additional referees would have to beincorporated.

This invention, however, allows the referees to have at their disposalan aid that is as fast as it is precise so that the referees do not needto stop the game to review a video to make a decision. They simply payattention to the change in signals that are instantly provided to boththe whistle and the flags (elements of this invention by which thereferees can control the game). It does not require a single change inthe rules of the game, since both the referees and the assistantreferees will continue performing the exact same tasks as they do today,but they will have instant assistance to avoid mistakes.

With this invention, the referees are able to control, with completeaccuracy, ten different situations during the development of a soccergame, including the most complicated: For example, they can determine ifthe ball passed the goal line by millimeters, so they can signals therespective point with total certainty, even though during the moment ofthe play the referee found himself without full vision of the goal line.Also, it can determine if an attacking player was found “in line” or“forward” by a few millimeters at the exact moment the ball is passed toone of their team mates, (it does not matter if the referee or assistantreferee reacts a few seconds after the mentioned pass) this way thereferees can signal or call the respective “offside” immediately andwithout danger of making a mistake, even though the offside play caughtthem off guard.

With this invention, one can also determine, for example, if a defenseplayer irregularly invaded the 9.15 mts. area that should remain free toopposing players at the time of a “free kick,” and obtain an indicationof how many centimeters the player “invaded” the area, etc.

DESCRIPTION

In order to control with total accuracy and immediacy the ten gamesituations previously mentioned, the invention establishes a system offive types of electronic aid devices as follows:

-   -   A. Hand Held Devices        -   A-1 THE WHISTLE (used by the Referee)        -   A-2 THE FLAGS (used by the Assistant Referee)    -   B. Mobile Position Sensors to determine the relative positions        on the field (they emit radio frequency signals)        -   B-1 MOBILE POSITION SENSOR FOR THE BALL (goes within the            ball)        -   B-2 MOBILE POSITION SENSORS FOR THE PLAYERS (each player            wears one in the belt of his uniform)    -   C. Field Devices (they are emitter-receiver radio frequency        signals)        -   C-1 FIXED AERIAL UNITS, are four receiving units of emitted            signals by the MOBILE POSITION SENSORS (the four units are            installed optionally, aerially and equidistant, to about 3            mts. high on the “touch lines” of the field).        -   C-2 FIXED GROUND UNIT, is a receiving and transmitting            devises of information between the Control Panel and the            Hand Held Devices, (functions as an antenna through which            the CONTROL PANEL emits and receives signals to the HAND            HELD DEVICE of the Referees and vice versa). The optional            location of the FIXED GROUND UNIT is about five centimeters            beneath the level of the field, at the point that marks the            exact center of the field.        -   C-3 FIXED GOAL LINE UNITS, are four receiving units of            signals emitted by the ball, and allows accurate detection            the moment that the ball passes the goal line. The four            units are optionally installed on the goalposts.    -   D. LASER LIGHT BEAM, is a laser light trigger that projects into        the field a few lines that mark the exact distance of 9.15        metros that should remain free to opposing players during the        free kicks.        -   It simultaneously can project advertisements on the field            during any moment of the game, especially during the            recovery of “free kicks”.        -   THE LASER LIGHT BEAM is going to be installed aerially,            preferably above one of the stadium's light towers and it            has a “spot light” mechanism, to automatically focus on the            position of the ball in any place on the field where the a            “free kick” is taken.        -   The activation of the light beam that projects the LASER            LIGHT BEAM is the responsibility of the Referee (through the            activator button of the laser signal that he finds in his            whistle). The projected signal on the field begins to            dissipate once the ball has been “kicked” and it goes out            totally, in optional form, 1.500 milliseconds after the            respective kicked.    -   E. THE CONTROL PANEL, is made up of two parts:        -   E-1 THE TIME DISCRIMINATOR        -   E-2 A PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC)

This last one contains the software that interprets, controls, and“bounces” the different signals that are received from the mobileposition sensors, just like the hand held devices, thanks to the fielddevices that serve to send and receive these signals.

-   -   -   THE CONTROL PANEL processes the information automatically            and immediately, and instantly rebroadcasts it toward the            hand held device that the referees handle.        -   THE CONTROL PANEL that is managed by a designated “Fourth            Official,” is connected by means of Fiber Optic conductors            (of identical length) to each of the nine field devices and            from them it receives the information to be processed, but            the transmission of its signals toward the hand held devices            of the arbitrators, only makes it (wireless by radio            frequency) through the field device designated FIXED GROUND            UNIT, that for this purpose acts as an antenna (as already            indicated, the fixed ground unit, is installed below the            point that marks the exact center of the field).

The HAND HELD DEVICES of this invention indicate as much to the refereeas to the assistant referees, instantaneously and with absoluteprecision in the following situations throughout the course of the game,that integrate the utility of this invention:

-   -   1. The invention detects if the ball does or does not pass the        “goal's plan” (it also designates the “goal line”) to help the        referee when a play appears doubtful, in the following manner:        -   If the ball passes “the goal line,” immediately, before            three microseconds (0.000003 seconds) passes, a micro            frequency signal is sent from the control panel toward the            referee's whistle, and the whistle automatically begins to            emit a vibration signal so that only the referee and the            fourth official, who handles the control panel receive that            information (if the signal was auditory or illuminated, it            would allow the players on the field to find out at the same            time and it would encourage them to illegally “pressure” the            referee when he has to abstain from penalizing the            respective “goal” if through their judgment they consider            that there appears to have been an invalid action in the            previous play).    -   2. The invention detects if the ball did or did not pass the        “touch line” (to penalize the corresponding “throw-in”). In this        case, both the flag of the assistant referee of the respective        side (accordingly the ball has left the jurisdiction of        assistant referee number one or the jurisdiction of assistant        referee number two), and the whistle of the referee and the        control panel registers that the ball has gone out of bounds.        The invention emits an auditory signal (like, beep-beep) to both        the referee's whistle and the assistant referee's flag, to        indicate that they should lift the flag to signal the respective        “throw-in” call and indicate that the arbitration should proceed        in order to resume the game from the from the recovery of the        throw.    -   3. The invention detects if the ball does or does not pass the        goal line to determine if the corner kick or goal kick is        necessary. In this case, both the referee's whistle and        assistant referee's flag of the corresponding jurisdiction emit        an auditory signal (like, beep-beep), and at the same time an        intermittent yellow colored LED begins to “blink” for the        assistant referee, If required, he can directly verify with the        flag, that the out of bounds has taken place by the goal line        and not by the sideline. This way the referees have total        certainty that the ball went out of the field by the goal line        (even if its by millimeters), and consequently they should        proceed to call the corresponding goal kick or corner kick,        according to what is needed to resume the game.    -   4. The invention also detects if at the exact moment the ball        touches or is played by one of his team, the most advanced        attacking player was situated “forward” in relation to the        penultimate defending player (to penalize with accuracy an        “off-side”).        -   In order to determine this, through its field devices, and            especially through its time discriminator, each time the            ball is kicked the invention determines (through            triangulation) the position of the attacking player that is            “forward,” not “in line,” or “behind,” and stores this            information in the temporary memory system. At that moment            the information, whether positive (if there was an off-side)            or negative (when there was not such a situation), remains            available for the assistant referee if he asks for it            through the “trigger button” on his flag. Then, if at any            moment during the game, the assistant referee wishes to            verify if a situation of “off sides” has taken place, he            simply presses the button on his flag and, in a case where            the system has stored positive information that an “offside”            has occurred, the system relays the corresponding signal to            him: At that moment, both the assistant referee's flag and            the referee's whistle begin to emit an auditory signal, like            beep-beep (a different tone and frequency than the one for            an out of bounds ball), that indicates to the assistant            referee that he should lift his flag to signal an off-side.            Just as the system knows which players are situated            “offside” at the exact moment the ball is touched, it also            reports that information to both the whistle of the referee            and control panel, run by the fourth official, indicating            the exact distance of the “forward” player.        -   The most important part of this mechanism, is that it does            not matter if the assistant referee takes one or several            seconds to press the button to check if an “offside” has            taken place (normally, the player's pass takes place first            and then the assistant referee reacts), that lapse in time            can mean an erroneous offside is detected, because the            players are moving and in a fraction of a second can change            their positions on the field play. However, this mechanisms            detects the “offside” position as soon as the ball is kicked            (at the exact moment the pass starts off towards the            teammate), but only transmits this information if the            assistant referee asks for it through his trigger button, it            does not matter if the assistant referee waits one or two            seconds to active the button on his flag. This invention            brings justice to the regulation and finally solves an old            problem in soccer, that many, many times is shown through            television, causing the referees and assistant referee to            slowly penalize the offside situation.    -   5. Once it detects that the attacking player was situated        “forward” at the exact moment he passed the ball to his        teammate, the invention detects if the path of the ball was        positive or negative (whether it goes towards the rival arch or        backwards), so it can ratify the “offside” sanction (if the path        is positive) or in its defect cancels the prior numeral signal.        (The regulation clearly indicates that if the “pass” happens        “horizontally” or “backwards,” it does not matter if the        receiving player is found “forward” in relation to the        penultimate defender and in this case should not be penalized        for an offside.) In this case, neither the referee's whistle nor        the assistant referee's flag signals an auditory sound, but the        control panel reports the situation as “not off-side”.    -   6. The invention also provides a clear visual marking (through a        LASER illumination device, activated by the referee's whistle)        of the 9.15 meter distance around the ball the should remain        free of opposing players at the moment a “free kick” is taken,        when it has been requested by the “attacking” team.        -   This LASER light device provides, simultaneously, to project            combined with the free distance signal of 9.15, an            incidental advertising model, that has great impact on            moments of tension during the game, because at that moment            all eyes are focused on this section of the field in which            for 20, 30 or more seconds the only action that occurs is            the “wait” until the kick has been taken”    -   7. The invention detects if one or more players invade the area        of 9.15 during the “free kick,” likewise, it detects which        players committed the invasion for the resulting penalty        corresponding to the time that indicates the distance in        centimeters of the “invasion” and reports this information        instantly to both the referee's whistle “display” and the        control panel handled by the designated fourth official. In a        case where one or more players invade a free area of 9.15 meters        before the ball has been kicked, an auditory signal (like,        beep-beep) will activate both the referee's whistle and the        assistant referee of the respective jurisdiction's flag.    -   8. The invention detects which players invade the designated        “penalty area” (of 16.50 meters) during the “penalty kick” so        that in an affirmative case, the referee can determine with        total certainty that it is necessary to repeat the kick as the        rules of the game order state. At the same time, the invention        indicates the distance in centimeters of the “invasion” and        instantly registers it in both the “display” of the referee's        whistle and the control panel handled by the designated “fourth        official.” In a situation where one or more players invades the        free area of 16.50 meters before the ball has been kicked, an        auditory signal (like, beep-beep) will activate in both the        referee's whistle and the assistant referee of the respective        jurisdiction's flag.    -   9. The invention detects if the goalkeeper moves before the        attacking player has kicked the ball during a “penalty” kick to        determine if he has to repeat the kick, as ordered by game        regulations, indicating the distance of the illegal move, and        registering it in both the “display” of the referee's whistle        and the control panel. In a case where the goalkeeper moves        before the ball has been kicked, an auditory signal (like,        beep-beep but of a different tone and frequency than the        auditory signal of an area invasion) activates both the whistle        of the referee and the assistant referee's flag in the        respective jurisdiction, likewise in the referee's whistle an        intermittent red colored LED activates which begins to “blink”        immediately when the situation appears anomalous.    -   10. The invention carries on the accounting of “yellow cards” of        the match, by means of applying the “red card” when a player        accumulates two “yellow cards.” In a case where a player        receives two yellow cards, an auditory signal (such as,        beep-beep) activates the Referee's whistle, at the same time        that a red colored LED begins to “blink,” indicating that the        player should be expelled from the field.    -   11. The invention allows the referee to be automatically aware        when there are two balls on the field in order to take        corrective measures.    -   12. The invention allows the assistant referee to activate a        call signal (like, beep-beep) to the referee to announce a        change in players or to inform him of a disciplinary infraction        committed by a player or any such anomaly displayed by player        substitutes or staff of the team.    -   13. The invention allows the referee and fourth official to        control the time played, excess time, time during which the game        has been interrupted, and the time left to finish the game, just        as it allows the referee to announce the time that should be        added as the end of the game approaches.

To be able to emit the corresponding signals and indications so that thereferees can rely on this excellent tool at the time of crucialdecisions throughout the course of the game, the HAND HELD DEVICES (theWHISTLE the referee carries and the FLAGS the assistant referee use)receive pertinent indications from the control panel.

The CONTROL PANEL receives the information at the same time as theMobile Sensor Positions (through eight field devices designated FIXEDAIR UNITS and FIXED GOAL LINE UNITS) and it instantly processes,interprets, and bounces this information back, to immediately sendsignals (by radio frequency) back towards the Hand Held Devices throughthe field devices designated FIXED LAND UNITS (which, as alreadyindicated, are going to be installed below the point that exactly marksthe center of the field and at the same time are connected to theCONTROL PANEL, through a fiber optic conductor).

The FIXED AIR UNITS (optional, each two milliseconds) detect therelative positions on the field of each one of the 22 players as well asthe position of the ball anywhere on the field, thanks to the signalsthe devices emit that are built into the ball and carried on each one ofthe players (the MOBILE POSITION SENSOR). With this information, thecontrol panel can check the exact position of each player, optionally,every two milliseconds (0.002 seconds) and the exact position of theball, optionally, every three microseconds (0.000003), throughout thedevelopment of the game.

Finally, the control panel that is handled by the designated “fourthofficial,” not only registers and controls the chronological information(time elapsed, time interrupted, time left, time added, etc.) but alsorecords an electronic log of the game's incidents which updates the mostimportant moments and plays of the game, with their respective time andarbitration decision. Likewise permit to announce to the referee (bymicrowave through the whistle), the time that should be added at the endof each game, and the accounting of the yellow cards so that when areferee is going to warn a player he can be reminded it he already has ayellow card, in such a way that by card accumulation that player must beexpelled from the field play.

One of the most important functions of the software installed in thecontrol panel, is its mechanism to “shield” against possible externalattack attempts by third parties with “electronic noise,” thanks to thetransmission of each one of the radio frequency signals between thedifferent devices of the invention, that are randomly coded by software:The assignment of Transmission Codes, before the start of each game, toeach one of the invention's devices, that are internally coded, allowseach one of the 26 devices in movement (the 22 players, plus the ball,the whistle, and the two flags) to communicate with the control panel ina way that can independently identify each one of them.

Because the system uses more than a million different storable codes (ofwhich only 26 of the codes randomly assigned by the software are used,but before each game), it prevents the possibility that scrupulous handscould attack the system with the intention of producing interference inits functions during any moment of the game. To do this, they would notonly need to know what the transmission frequencies of the differentdevices but also the transmission codes for each one.

If one keeps in mind that the assigned transmission codes can bemodified (again at random and by software), from the control panel atany moment of the game, then one can be certain that the system iscompletely protected against attempts to bombard it with “electronicnoise” from fans or people placing bets on the game.

When a new player is going to enter the field, they should first reportto the control panel, where electronically, they are assigned one of themore than 1,000,000 codes not yet available in the system.

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the field aids of the invention:

FIG. 1 Shows the horn or whistle of the referee, with the elements ofthe invention built-in;

FIG. 2 Shows the assistant referee's flag, with the elements of theinvention built-in;

FIG. 3 Shows schematically the optional location of the field devices onthe field;

FIG. 4 Shows schematically the optional location of the LASER light beamin a high part of the stadium, and also shows the 9.15 meter freedistance illumination sign that the LASER light beam projects on to thefield at the time of a “free kick;”

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the scope of the invention's electronicsystem:

FIG. 5 Represents a diagram of the invention's electronic system, inwhich both the Fixed Land Unit (51), and the Fixed Aerial Unit (52 a, 52b, 52 c, and 52 d), as well as the Fixed Goal Line Unit (53 a, 53 b, 53c, and 53 d), are connect by fiber optics (54) to the Time Discriminator(55) which is connected to a personal computer (56). These last twodevices (the time discriminator and the personal computer) with theirrespective software comprise the control panel;

FIG. 6 Represents a diagram of the invention's electronic system's“cycle of consultation;”

FIG. 7 Represents the “scheme” of a mobile position sensor (whether forthe ball or the players);

FIG. 8 Represents the “scheme” of a hand held device (whether for thewhistle or the flags).

DESCRIPTON OF THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM'S PERFORMANCE

The invention functions through a system of microwaveradio-communications. The spatial positioning of each one of the “mobileposition sensors” is determined by the time difference that exists inthe four “fixed aerial units” as well as in the four “fixed goal lineunits,” in the reception of the radio emitted signal by any of the“mobile position sensors.”

So that the precision in determining the spatial position of the ball isbetter than 0.1 cm. and 1.5 cm. for the players, the radio systems canoperate on an equal or superior frequency to those of 10 GHz (10GHz=10,000,000,000 cycles per second), and the fixed length of thetransmitted plot should not be larger than 56 bits.

The difference in time between the signals is calculated by anelectronic devised called the “time discriminator,” which receives theoriginating signals from the “fixed aerial units,” takes the firstarriving signal as reference, and with the three remaining, calculatesthe spatial position using the traditional method of triangulation.

For the specific case of the game of GOAL use the two fixed aerial unitsinstalled in the goal and the two closest fixed aerial units on thefield.

So this system functions adequately, each “position sensor” shouldtransmit its signal without interfering with the others, since it uses asingle channel with sufficient bandwidth to transmit 2 Mbps. To achievethis, it is necessary to establish what moment each of the “positionsensors” transmits.

The “fixed land unit” emits a synchronization signal (that at the sametime carries the information for the flags and whistle). The cyclebegins when the “fixed land unit” indicates to player #1 that ittransmits his signal. All of the “mobile position units” are alsoreceptors that are able “listen” to the signal and able to transmit thesignal that corresponds them. After player #1 has finalized histransmission, the “fixed land unit” sends a signal so that it transmitsto player #2. For both players, the “fixed land unit” asks fortransmissions to the ball. This process repeats through player #22 andthis cycle is executed indefinitely and should last less then 2milliseconds (2 ms.). (FIG. 6 schematically represents this“consultation cycle.”)

Description of the Time Discriminator:

The “mobile position sensors” (both the position sensor of the ball andthe position sensors of each player), emit a microwave radio signal thatarrives at a different time to each of the “fixed aerial units.” At thispoint, the radio signals convert to optic signals that are transportedby fiber optics to the Time Discriminator. If the broadcast velocity ofthe optic signals is the same for each one of the fibers, these shouldbe the same length to conserve the difference in time of the signals.

The “Time Discriminator” device is an electronic apparatus that has veryfast CPU and memory able to process digital and analog signals at a highrate, should be able to calculate differences in time by 50 Pico seconds(1 ps.=0.000000000001 second), and able to provide processed informationto a personal computer using a USB port. This personal computer (PC)should use an operating system in real time (RTOS). The “TimeDiscriminator” also receives and emits signals through the “fixed landunit” (which is connected by fiber optics) to control the transmissionsof the “mobile position sensors” and send and receive messages from the“hand held devices” that the referees use.

Description of the Structure for the Network of Information:

The “network of information” is the chain of bits transmitted andreceived by any transmitter or receiver element of the system. Twonetworks, in particular, exist for this application:

1. Network for the “Mobile Position Sensor”

The fields that compose the network for the “mobile position sensor”are:

-   -   a). Synchronization field: Serves to synchronize the clock of        the bit in the receptors. There are bits 1 to 8 and bits 1, 3,        5, and 7 that are in “1” logical and bits 2, 4, 6, and 8 that        are in “0” logical.    -   b). Network Bit Type: The 9 Bit identifies the type of network.        In this case “0” is the logical for the “mobile position sensor”        network.    -   c). Code Field: Is a field of 20 bits that identifies each one        of the “mobile position sensors” and recognizes up to 1,048,574        different codes. It can assign each sensor and change any        moment. It reciprocates bits 10 to 29 of the network.    -   d). Time Reference Field: This field is where the time signal is        taken for each one of the emitted networks for the “mobile        position sensors.” It is the most important part of the network.        Bits 30 and 31 should remain in logical “0” and bit 32 should        remain in logical “1.” The ascent line between bit 31 and 32 is        the clock's trigger in the “Time Discriminator,” which should        have a resolution of 52 Pico seconds.    -   e). Data Field: It is a field that has 16 bits to be used freely        as user data. They can be used to accumulate yellow cards for        the players, the name of the player, data on the balls        acceleration, data on the ball crossing the field to detect a        goal, goal kicks, sidelines, and much more. It can code 65,534        different messages.    -   f). Error Detection Field: It is a field of 8 bits that is used        to detect any error in the signal transmission process. If the        “Time Discriminator” detects a transmission error, it should        repeat the transmission request until the signal arrives        correctly (it has a limited number of attempts).        2. Network for “Hand Held Device:”

These networks do not use the “fixed aerial units.” They are used tointerchange data between the “Time Discriminator” and the “hand helddevices” through the “fixed land unit.” The structure of this network issimilar to that of the “mobile position sensors” to assure compatibilitywith the telecommunications system. The difference is the value of thetype of bit network and the absence of the time reference field that inthis case is not necessary, and the bits cross the user data field.

The fields that make up the network for the “hand held device” are:

-   -   a). Synchronization field: The same as the network for the        “mobile position sensor.”    -   b). Network Bit Type: In this case, bit 9 is always logical “1.”    -   c). Code Field: The same as the network for the “mobile position        sensor.” In this case the code users are the whistle, the flags,        and the “fixed ground unit” equivalent to the “control panel.”    -   d). Data Field: It is 19 bits. If bit 30 is a “0” logical it is        a matter of a transmission from the control panel and if it is a        “1” logical it is a transmission from the whistle or one of the        flags.    -   e). Error Detection Field: The same as the “mobile position        sensor” network.

It is not necessary to include this type of network in the consultationcycle of the “mobile position sensors” because it only transmits whennecessary. In this case, since the “fixed land unit” is what controlsthe transmission process, it can send and request a transmission towardsor from the whistle or any flag before it begins a new consultationcycle from the “mobile position sensors.” Because the speed of thetransmissions and the number of bits are the same for both types ofnetworks, inserting a message before they begin a new consultation cycledoes not impact the precision of the spatial positing of the ball orplayers. The networks of the hand held device can insert a message every500 milliseconds (500 ms.).

As for the arbitral hand aids, the whistle (FIG. 1) used by the referee,is a conventional whistle (10) with a radio-frequency emitter-receiverthat functions with two 1.5 volt compact batteries and also contains anactivator button (11) for the “9.15 mts. free distance” LASER signal forwhen a “barrier” is requested during free kicks (as indicatedpreviously, it is a light beam shot from a SPOTLIGHT and it has threemain light bulbs; a green (12), a yellow (13), and a red (14) thatindicate the respective GOAL, THROW-IN, OFFSIDES, and FREE KICK orCORNER KICK). It also emits an auditory signal, such as beep-beep (forwhen it receives a call from one of the assistant referee) and avibration signal to inform the referee that the ball passed the “goalline.” Finally, it has an 8 digit “display” (15) divided into twosections (superior and inferior) in which the chronometric informationappears or the yellow cards accumulated by each player. It alsoindicates the number of players that were “offside” at the moment theassistant referee actives the order to check for any “offside” (from abutton on his flag). The “display” also indicates which players invadedthe 9.15 free area during a free kick or the 16.50 area during a penaltykick. Similarly, the whistle has some buttons to control the games' timeclock.

Each flag (used by the assistant referee) is a conventional flagequipped with a radio-frequency emitter-receiver, that functions withtwo 1.5 volt compact batteries. The flag has a trigger button whoseactivation causes the control panel to instantly check if an “offside”has occurred. The flag includes an “answer LED” accompanied by abeep-beep sound, which indicate to the assistant referee if indeed aplayer was “forward” at the moment he began a “pass” the ball to histeammate (this way the assistant referee has two ways to recognize an“offside:” he consults the LED or listens for the beep-beep and thenraises his flag). The flag also has a button to call the referee.

FIG. 2 displays a flag (20) with a button (21) that activates aretractable mechanism to close the flag, a trigger button (22) thatactivates the order to check for any “offside” situation, a LED (23)that shows the position of the “offside,” and a call button (24) thatemits a call signal to the referee (to indicate infractions, changes ofplayers, reentries, game time, and other incidents).

The FIELD DEVICES (FIG. 3) work with radio-frequency signals, connectedto the control panel by means of individual fiber optic cables that canbe arranged as follows:

-   -   C-1 The FIXED AERIAL UNIT, four are (30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d        0 installed aerially and equidistant, towards the sidelines of        the field.    -   C-2 The FIXED LAND UNIT, (30 e) is installed 5 cmts. below the        ground level of the field, at the exact central point.    -   C-3 The FIXED GOAL UNIT, four are (30 f, 30 g, 30 h, and 30 i)        optionally installed on the goal posts.

The optional location of the LASER LIGHT BEAM (40) is shown in FIG. 4(installed in an elevated part of the stadium, preferably on one of thelight towers), the sign projected (41) is in plain view during freekicks.

Finally, using the already mentioned field devices, the mobile positionsensors, and the laser light beam, the invention allows the followinginnovations to generate revenue during the games television broadcast:

-   -   1. To automatically follow the balls trajectory with the        cameras, in a way that when the television producer wishes, the        ball always remains in a certain sector of the screen        independent of its position on the field or the speed that it        reaches during a play.    -   2. To avoid the floating advertising guidelines, placed by        advertisers during the soccer games' broadcast, that cover the        trajectory of the ball (this happens too often, causing the        spectator to look unfavorable on the ad or product announced        rather than favorable.    -   3. The most important: it allows for the installation of a        VIRTUAL ADVERTISEMENT, so that viewers watching certain plays        see the advertisements “projected” in certain areas on the        field, even though those ads are not “physically” present on the        field.

To achieve this, the MOBILE POSITIONING SENSOR OF THE BALL (that goeswithin the ball), emits a “pursuer” type signal (the same one that“focuses” the direction of the LASER light beam to visually mark the9.15 distance during a “free kick”); the one that is also processed bythe control panel to send it towards one or several television cameras,which are designed in a way to automatically follow the trajectory ofthe ball without the risk of losing a view during certain plays (whichhappens frequently during the broadcast of soccer games, especially whensomething in the foreground obstructs the view of the camera).

At the same time, at any moment the control panel can emit towards thetelevision transmission system a positioning signal from a certainsector of the field so that on the television screen a previouslyrecorded advertisement can be seen, but it will appear as if it werevirtually painted on some section of the field (what is interesting isthat, that signal is only seen on the television set in such a way thateach television station and each country where the game is broadcast cansee a “local” or “personalized” ad projected by the station that doesthe broadcast, obtaining with it a diversification of the ad offer thatwill allow many other new advertisers to support soccer at much morereasonable costs):

The important thing is that the field devices can be taken advantage ofto allow the advertisements to remain on the desired section of thefield, even if the camera or the players move (unlike present systemsthat can only show a fixed image on a certain place on the field).

The position sensors, indicator lights (LEDS), illuminated, LASER,auditory and vibration signals, the control panel and its respectiveradio-frequency emitter-receiver mechanisms, as well as the integrated“micro-chips” that these devices contain, and the fiber opticconductors, all already exist in the current technology. The truenovelty of this invention is its very nature. It successfully reachesthe root of the most common and delicate problems that always occurduring soccer games.

Therefore, the extent of the invention is defined in the followingvindication:

SUMMARY

The invention presented refers to a system of incorporated arbitrationaid devices applicable to the game of soccer through the whistle orhorn, the assistant referee's flags, the ball, and the field. (Theinvention is also applicable to American Football as well as all othersports that are played with a ball).

The invention uses a series of sensory elements, LEDs (Light EmittingDiodes) or indicator lights, vibrating indicators, a control panel, andradio frequency signals of emitting-receiving mechanisms withmicrochips, that when adapted and utilized as an arbitration aid in thebasic elements of the whistle, flags, ball, and field of the game,provide instant and certain solutions to plays that usually cause doubtsin judgment and conflicts.

1. The system of electronic devices acts as auxiliary arbitrators forsoccer games, and function through radio-frequency signalemitter-receiver mechanisms, which are located in: The horn or whistleof the referee, The flags of the Assistant referee, The ball, The field,The player's uniforms, A control panel and, A LASER light beam. 2.According to claim number one, the system utilizes a control panel,which includes software or a program that interprets and transmitsdifferent emitted signals by the devices on the field, towards thedevices in the whistle and the assistant referee's flags.
 3. Accordingto claim number one, the location where the electronic devices in thereferee's whistle especially correspond to: A radio-frequencyemitter-receiver activated by batteries A LASER signal activator buttonto mark the 9.15 meter distance for free kicks. Three illuminatedsignals (green, yellow and red) to indicate different plays. A displayor screen with an 8-digit capacity to register game incidents or timepassed. Buttons to control the games' time clock. A call button to callthe attention of the Assistant referee Internal vibrator to indicate agoal situation when the ball passes the goal line.
 4. According to claimnumber one, the location of the electronic devices in each of theassistant referee's flags, corresponds especially to: A button thatretracts the flag into its mast. A button that activates the order tocheck for any “offside” position. A light emitter (LED) that indicatesthe “offside” position. An auditory signal, like beep-beep, to indicatethe “offside” position. A button to call the referee through thewhistle.
 5. According to claim number one, the field devices work withradio-frequency signals connected to the control panel which include:Fixed Air Units, placed on land level and on the sidelines. Fixed GoalUnits, installed in the goal post. Fixed Land Unit, situated some 5centimeters below the center of the field. LASER signal beam, that isoptionally placed on the roof, in the stands, or on a light tower, inorder to follow the trajectory of the ball at any location on the field.6. According to claims 1, 2, 3, and 5, the LASER signal beam projects onthe field an image, in plain view, that points out the exact 9.15 meterdistance that should remain free of opposing players during a free kick.7. According to claims 1, 2, 3, and 5, throughout the course of a soccergame, when a player is found in an “offside” position at the exactmoment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, it is reportedin the “display” of the referee's whistle, in the assistant referee'sflag, and in the control panel, at the request of the assistant referee,who only has to press a button on his flag for the system to indicate ifan “offside” situation occurred.
 8. According to claims 1, 2, 3, and 5,when an opposing player invades the area of 9.15 meters during a freekick, it is immediately reported in the display of the referee's whistleand the control panel.
 9. According to claim 1, 2, 3, and 5, when aplayer invades the area of 16.50 meters during a penalty kick, it isimmediately reported to the display of the referee's whistle and thecontrol panel (in order to repeat the kick if necessary).
 10. Accordingto claims 1, 2, 3, and 5, during the execution of a penalty kick, when agoalie moves forward before the player has kicked the ball, it isimmediately reported in the display of the referee's whistle and in thecontrol panel (in order to repeat the kick if necessary).
 11. Accordingto claims one and two, the control panel is connected by fiber opticconductors of identical length to each on of the field devices (with thefour fixed aerial units, the fixed goal units, as well as with the fixedland unit that acts as an antenna).
 12. According to claims 1, 2, and10, the transmission between the control panel and the hand held devicesof the arbitrators (the whistle and the flags) is wireless byradio-frequency through the field devices (the fixed land unit). 13.According to claims one and two, the control panel incorporates softwarethat, before the beginning of the game (or at any moment in the game),assigns random codes to each moving object (players, whistle, flags, andthe ball) to avoid possible interference from third parties.
 14. Onesystem of electronic devices that incorporates in the control panel onetime discriminator device, which receives signals from the fixed airunits, as well as the fixed goal units, takes the first signal thatarrives as reference and with the rest, manages to instantly calculatethe exact spatial positioning of each one of the mobile devices throughtriangulation.